Phan Thiet’s Mui Ne is a coastal cape in Vietnam, known for its scenic beauty and tourist attractions. The name Mui Ne originated from the local fishermen. “Mui” means a promontory jutting into the sea, and “Ne” refers to a shelter from storms and winds. In 2018, Mui Ne was recognized as a national tourist area. This place is renowned for its long stretches of pristine beaches and beautiful sand dunes.
When is the Best Time to Visit Mui Ne?
Visitors can come to Mui Ne throughout the year, with each season offering a different kind of beauty. The best time to visit Mui Ne is from April to August when the sea is clear and refreshing.
From August to December, it’s suitable for windsurfing and other adventurous water sports. In December, there may be some rain, so it’s advisable to bring an umbrella when heading out.
How to move to Mui Ne:
From Ho Chi Minh City, travelers can easily reach Mui Ne by motorbike, bus, or train.
Many adventurers prefer to follow the coastal route. From Ho Chi Minh City, you can take the Cat Lai ferry, head to Long Thanh, then go to Ba Ria town, and continue along the coastal road toward Phan Thiet. The total distance is approximately 230 kilometers.
If you don’t want to drive a motorbike, you can also go to the Eastern Bus Station and buy a ticket to Phan Thiet. The journey takes about 5 hours, and the ticket price is around 130,000 VND per person, depending on the bus company.
Travelers can also take the SPT1/SPT4 train from Saigon Railway Station. The ticket price is 110,000 VND per person, and it departs in the morning.
From Hanoi, you can fly to Ho Chi Minh City and then travel to Phan Thiet or fly to Cam Ranh, Nha Trang, and take a bus to Mui Ne, which is about 200 kilometers away.
Starting from April 29, 2023, the Dau Giay – Phan Thiet expressway has been in operation, reducing the travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to about 2 hours by car. It is expected that in late 2023, Phase 1 of Phan Thiet Airport will be put into operation.
Where to play in Mui Ne:
Mui Ne is not just a “beach paradise” with its beautiful coastline; it also boasts numerous historical and cultural sites. Here are 10 of the most famous attractions in Mui Ne, Phan Thiet:
1/ Hon Rom: A pristine small mountain near Long Son village, perfect for watching sunrise and sunset, camping, and stargazing. The nearby beaches are calm, with no hidden rocks, and the water is clear.
2/ Red Sand Dunes: Located near Hon Rom, the Red Sand Dunes are one of the most beautiful landscapes in Mui Ne, known for their colorful sands. Visitors can rent a sandboard for around $1 per board.
3/ Hon Ghenh (or Hon Lao): This relatively untouched area, about 1 km from Mui Ne, can be reached by renting a boat from local fishermen or using the transportation services provided by resorts and hotels. Visitors can enjoy fishing in the morning, snorkeling during the day, and watching the sunset over the sea in the evening.
4/ Bau Trang (White Lake) and Bau Sen (Lotus Lake): These are natural freshwater lakes surrounded by white sand dunes. In the summer, you can witness thousands of lotus blossoms amidst the white dunes. Visitors can rent off-road vehicles or Jeeps to explore the area for around $25 for 20 minutes.
5/ Fairy Stream (Suoi Tien): Known as the “fairy landscape,” this small stream runs alongside Hon Rom. The area features naturally occurring red and white sandstone formations with unique shapes formed by erosion.
6/ Mui Ne Fishing Village: Located about 3 km from the town center, this fishing village is characterized by colorful fishing boats. There is a small market nearby where you can experience the peaceful life of the fishermen. In the early morning, you can buy fresh seafood as the boats return.
7/ Duong Long Towers: A historic site that dates back to 1907, established by patriotic scholars to promote the Duy Tan movement in Central Vietnam. The Duong Long Towers were also a place where Ho Chi Minh taught before heading to Saigon. Today, the site houses nearly intact relics from nearly a century ago.
8/ Van Thuy Tu Temple: Situated on Nguy Ong Street, Van Thuy Tu Temple is an ancient relic dating back to 1762, known for its classical beauty and cultural significance. It also holds the largest whale skeleton in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
9/ Mui Ne Beach: A popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, and various outdoor activities. The coastline features long stretches of white sandy beaches. For a more secluded experience, consider renting a boat to visit Hon Lao Island, a remote island near Mui Ne.
10/ Po Sah Inu Towers: Located about 7 kilometers northeast of central Phan Thiet, these Cham Pa towers are a group of ancient relics from the Champa Kingdom, featuring Hoa Lai architectural style.
If you have extra time, you can also explore other attractions like Ba Island, Ke Ga Lighthouse, Ta Cu Mountain, Co Thach Beach, Hang Pagoda, Son Ganh, Cau Island, and Phu Quy Island.
11/ Làng Chài Xưa Fish Sauce Museum: This is the first and only fish sauce museum in Vietnam. It showcases 300 years of history from Phan Thiet’s fishing village, covering the Cham Pa period, the Nguyen Dynasty, French colonial rule, and the 1940s to the 1960s. Admission for adults is $4, and children under 1 meter tall enter for free.
Mui Ne specialties
1/ Seafood
Mui Ne is famous for its seafood salad, especially the fish salad and snail salad. Fish salad is made from fresh fish such as catfish, anchovies, or scad, served with fresh vegetables, vermicelli noodles, and a special dipping sauce. Snail salad primarily consists of thinly sliced conch meat, pork, vegetables, roasted peanuts, fried shallots, and is served with a sweet and sour fish sauce.
2/ Sandworm Dishes
A specialty of the Mui Ne sand dunes is sandworm. Sandworm meat is white, sweet, tender, and slightly chewy, resembling chicken meat. Some popular dishes made from sandworms include grilled sandworm, sandworm hotpot, sandworm sausage, sandworm salad, sandworm porridge, and sandworm cooked with water spinach.
3/ King Crab
This is a specialty of the Tuy Phong area in Binh Thuan. The king crab meat is sweet, firm, and aromatic, while the crab shell is crispy and tender, making it easy to crack open with your teeth. King crabs are available year-round, but the best time to enjoy them is around the lunar month of Chạp. King crab is often grilled or steamed and served with a tangy and slightly sweet tamarind sauce. However, the most delicious way to savor king crab is in a flavorful crab congee.
4/ Rice Paper Rolls and Fermented Shrimp Paste
These are popular snacks in Binh Thuan in general. You can find them in various street stalls, especially at the crossroads of Thu Khoa Huan and Tran Hung Dao in the evening.
5/ “Lau Tha” Hot Pot
“Lau Tha” hot pot is a distinctive dish in Phan Thiet that many tourists seek to savor. The main ingredients typically include shredded fish, tuna, herring, catfish, and threadfin fish, all meticulously cleaned, filleted, and thinly sliced. The accompanying vegetables are finely shredded as well. The hot pot is enjoyed with a dipping sauce prepared from a mixture of sour tamarind, chili peppers, garlic, roasted peanuts, and ripe banana blended with pure fish sauce.
Hotels and Resorts in Mui Ne
As tourism has rapidly developed in Mui Ne, the accommodation options have become quite diverse. Travelers can choose from budget-friendly homestays to luxurious hotels and resorts. Homestays are often located farther from the beach and primarily cater to young visitors and foreign groups looking for unique experiences, with an average price of $20 per night.
Guesthouses are typically located in alleys and concentrated along Huynh Thuc Khang Street, extending towards Hon Rom. Hotels in Mui Ne are numerous and mainly found along Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, with an average price ranging from $30 to $35 per night.
If you’re in Mui Ne for a relaxing getaway, you might consider staying in a resort. This type of accommodation is quite diverse, ranging from budget to upscale options. Travelers can choose based on their preferences and budget.
Mui Ne’s resorts have been around for a while, but there are some new ones, with The Anam Mui Ne being the newest 5-star resort, starting its operation in early 2023, offering over 120 rooms. Other options include Anantara Mui Ne with 89 rooms and other accommodations like Pandanus Resort, Muine Bay Resort, The Cliff Resort & Residences, among others. These establishments offer modern amenities, beachfront locations, on-site spas and wellness centers, private beaches, water sports facilities, outdoor BBQ areas, convenience stores, children’s play areas, and breathtaking views of Mui Ne Bay.
Notes when traveling to Mui Ne:
- While the sea is generally not too rough, it can be stronger than usual, so look for calm and safe beaches with warning signs before swimming.
- In the evenings at Hon Rom tourist area, there is a night market with many affordable grilled seafood options.
- Mui Ne is quite popular among foreign tourists, especially Russians and Koreans. Some hotels may only rent to foreign guests, so don’t be surprised by this policy.
